Mark202

I should add that I downloaded this to the data card, not the unit.

Hi all, I am once again coming to the forum for a little help. I have an Oregon 500 running with a 8GB memory card almost exactly 1/2 filled with Topo24K and Garmin Birdseye Imagery. Last night I purchased and downloaded Garmin Rails-Trails map to my unit. It now won't start up as long as the new maps are on the device. The unit locks up and doesnt proceed with start up, I have to remove the batteries to get it to shut off. If I use a data card reader to remove the maps, it starts up again fine. I have also removed the photos from the card (I mention this because when I loaded topo, it got stuck loading the pictures). Any ideas?

Well, as to be expected...Garmin Tech support replied giving me the basic information describing that the CHIRP could only be programmed with the original device or by entering the original device's PIN. They described how to get the PIN, etc. I responded explaining that I was using my only CHIRP programmable device and got the 'Return it to where you purchased it' routine.

I started out Geocaching with a TOM TOM 130 car gps and eventually got a couple of etrex legends off from ebay. I still have them both, but I luckily won a Garmin Colorado 400t on an Overstock.com Auction for $120. Last Christmas my perfect wife got me a new Garmin 550. I still have all of those GPS an am now salivating over the new Garmin Montana, apparently I collect them now.

I went out tonight and replaced the CHIRP with another one...luckily I had 3 I hadnt placed yet. Its up and working, but I was half heartedly hoping that switching the battery would reset it somehow but obviously no luck. I sent an email to Garmin Customer Service and will post their response. I got the CHIRP's in question along with my Oregon over Christmas so its not even 6 months old yet, but I definitely played with this one for a while before actually placing it. Definitely appreciate all the comments and thoughts.

Yeah, but it will mean returning it to Garmin for a re-flash. The postage back and forth these days ... worth it? I was more thinking of something like a master key. Worth a shot, anyway. Thanks. I'll send a question to customer support and see what they recommend. I have 3 more CHIRPS, but now Im a little concerned with reliability. I'll post what comes back and my results in case it can help someone else in the future. Thanks again!

One thing to consider, depending on what area your primary activity is in...you can get a 550, buy the topo 24k maps which are navigable for about the same price as a 550t. That worked well for me, but Im not as familiar with the price differences on the 62's. As for the unit comparison, I think the Oregon is a very functional and fun unit, but if your bike riding A LOT then you might want the buttons. The Oregon requires you to hit the screen at least twice to switch functions (exit, then function select) and Set-Up is yet another process. I kept my old Colorado for motorcycling and am really glad I did, the Oregon is just too distracting for those type of activities. Even when we geocache with my friends with 62st's, I can tell that Im consistently playing with functions and focused on the GPS while they just tap a button and are 'heads up'.

Thats what I thought, but it was programmed with my Oregon 550 (my only CHIRP compatible device) and is now asking for the PIN. The CHIRP is in the parking lot where I work and Ive reprogrammed the info at least a dozen times, then suddenly two weird things happened. #1) The info message became incomplete...like 1/2 of the description disappeared #2) Now its asking for my device pin. It automatically entered the last 5 digits correctly, but the CHIRP wont accept it.

I was wondering if someone could help me with a technical problem with a Garmin CHIRP. I went to reprogram the information in the CHIRP unit on my Garmin Oregon 550 and it prompted me to enter the last 5 numbers of the unit PIN. I entered them, but it is stating that the PIN is not the owner's device. My Oregon is the device I programmed it with, its the only Garmin compatible device I have and cant seem to find any information online to help me figure out the problem. Any ideas?

Yea, I agree. Same scam with my truck. After owning my Tacoma for a year, Toyota came out with the new Tundra. They refused to give me a full credit for what I paid toward the new truck and wouldn't give me back money I spent a Field Service Manual, accessories, gas, oil or tires. WHAT A RIP! Wow, what a well thought out and totally appropriate analogy. I obviously was being unreasonable.

I updated and didnt get the Chipset message. Also ran a few ( 7) field tests with my test CHIRP with my 400t and Oregon 550. After multiple attempts, I didn't get any scrambled receive messages and it was picking up the signal as well as the Oregon. But it was just an informal test with a CHIRP mounted high on a lightpole.

Sorry, Im not good on quoting in forums. This was in response to the maintaining of this thread next time complaints on Garmin Customer Service arose.

I agree...but if its fair to reference this for Garmin's customer support quality, I think its also fair to add that this customer contacted Garmin and asked that since they werent supporting the Colorado for CHIRP, if they at least would support me in transferring my $400 in NT Navigator, 2 sets of Topo 24k maps, and Great Lakes Fishmaster maps to a new Garmin CHIRP compatible device. My response was a very very clear NO. To me, thats a clear indication of customer loyalty and support. Not only did they expect me to purchase a new device, but also repurchase all the maps I had already bought. Just sayin for the record.

OK...this is me publicly thanking Garmin and apologizing for all my public whining about abandoning me as a customer.

Well, this worked out great for me. My wife just bought me a couple of chirp devices and an Oregon 550 to go along with it. Now I guess I'll have to go back and re-tract all my slanderous posts on Garmin for abandoning my beloved Colorado.

Sorry about the last blank post, not sure what happened. Anyway, Im definitely sending a message to Garmin regarding the Colorado and CHIRP capability. It seems that if my Colorado that was discontinued and now wont be supported for the newest upgrades, Im not sure why I would want to invest in another Garmin product that they might decide to also abandon in two years. Especially since they wont even consider transferring my purchased maps from my Colorado to an Oregon for example. Not a good way to establish a loyal customer base.

I have a Chirp TB for my car (no visible number). And I placed one in a park, unlisted -- just want to test how it holds up in the elements, and check battery life, etc. I might even sometime have coordinates to a small prize, for the accidental adventurer who someday picks up the Chirp transmission along the trail. This is also an idea that could be used at an existing cache. Thanks for the info, I was just lurking around the forums to see if it was socially acceptable to pair a CHIRP with a mobile travel bug. I got four of these things for Christmas and thought that would be a good use for one. Ive got 3 more but primarily using them as a special HINT giver for some more difficult caches. Mystery caches around here don't get much attention.

Hi, Im not really a 'lurker' so to speak, but I do drop in once in a while to check things out and get ideas. For example, today Im looking for some information on how others are creatively using the new Garmin CHIRPS. For Christmas I got 4 of them as gifts and I got one of those trackable travel bug stickers. I am looking to see if its within acceptable guidelines to keep the CHIRP with my vehicle/TB Sticker and 'announce' a message with the TB code...i.e. someone with their CHIRP searching on near my vehicle would get a download message "Congratulations, you have discovered the Team Watkins TB code #..." Seems like it would be a neat application.

Was browsing another subject and saw this forum topic. Even though its old and Im sure its been answered somewhere else, my Colorado has an 8 GB card in it and working like a charm with 5 GB of data.